PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 32

I had no idea what took Ms. Suzette so long to let go of me as her assistant. I thought I'd be in her tail until the end of my contract. It'd been almost a year and now I was finally on the floor with everyone else.

Every single good thing that happened here came with celebration. I became close with Megan, Seon Ah, and Lucio who was Seon Ah's close friend here. They were all so friendly or they just like partying, nevertheless I refused most of the time. Though I couldn't say no to their invitation to the pub later.

I was preparing to go out when my phone rang because of my sister's call. It was my niece's birthday party today at home. They gathered in Baguio and chose to celebrate at home for my father to be able to join.

"Hello!" It was my sister's voice that sounded like a baby as she showed Carmi's face on the screen.

Carmi was literally busy eating and not in the mood to entertain me. Pinatayo ko nalang ang phone ko habang naghahanda at hinayaan ang kapatid kong magkwento sa araw na ito. Sobrang ingay pa naman dahil sa dami ng mga bata ngayon.

Akala ko ay maiirita lang si Papa sa ingay pero mabuti naman at narinig ko ang malakas nyang pagtawa. Hearing them was enough for me, especially now that they were having fun. Carmi was a blessing in the family and she made our lives brighter.

"I will also have a party on my own tonight," I informed Isla. Sobrang busy ni Mama humarap sa mga bisita habang si Papa naman ay enjoy na enjoy sa mga batang naglalaro sa sala.

"Dapat lang ay magparty ka dyan, Ate," sagot ni Isla. "Gusto ko ng French in-law."

"Manahimik ka nga dyan!" saway ko sa kanya.

Hindi ba pwedeng magparty lang? Palagi kong nilolookforward ang mga party dito lalo na at mahilig maghopping sina Megan ng iba't-ibang bar. I wanted to try all of them though they all just go down to the same common denominator, rave.

"Why not? May panlaban naman ang height mo," aniya.

"Height talaga?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"Matatangkad kasi ang mga French people," pagdadahilan nya.

Palagi akong ineencourage ni Isla na makipagdate. Kahit naman na gustuhin ko ay kung wala talaga ay hindi ko maipipilit. Kung ano nalang ang dumating kasi mas mataas ang inaasahan ko sa trabaho kesa sa lovelife.

"Mas atat ka pa kesa kay Papa," reklamo ko kay Isla. "Huwag mo na akong isipin!"

"Hindi ako pwedeng magpakasal hangga't hindi ka pa, Ate."

"At naniniwala ka talaga dyan? May anak ka na Isla kaya hindi na yan maapply sa atin!" natatawang sagot ko sa kanya.

Umupo ako sa harap ng bagong bili kong salamin atsaka nagsimulang maglagay ng make up. Hindi ko alam kung saan nya nakuha ang paniniwalang ito, wala naman akong pake. Siguro big deal sa akin noon pero hindi na ngayon.

I was an adult and Isla was already. May sarili kaming desisyun sa buhay pero hindi pa rin naman ako titigil sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa kung ano ang desisyon nya. She could get married whenever she wanted to.

Megan was already waiting in the lobby so I hung up the call with Isla and told her to enjoy the party. Hopefully, I could call back again later to check on theirs.

Seon Ah, Lucio and his girlfriend were already at the pub when I met Megan. Unlike Megan, I didn't really party that much since I was a bit restrained but now I decided to have fun.

She was wearing her red spaghetti strap dress with a huge faux fur coat. Meanwhile, I was wearing my Castleton tube playsuits. It was not too short but it definitely flexed my tanned skin.